- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is really the main "problem" with what's outlawed under the current resolution. Less than 10% of RL transplants involve transplanting a CMV-negative organ to a CMV-negative recipient. (Source) That's a significant portion of organ transplants that are now outlawed by NS law, which will likely result in more patients dying while they wait for a transplant.
- This resolution restricts the choice of patients and medical decision making of doctors and other health care professionals to work in the best interests of their patients.
- CMV is totally safe when it comes to blood donations and transfusions when its given to otherwise healthy individuals. CMV-negative blood is generally "saved" for use in babies (Source) since they have a weaker immune system and may be more susceptible to complications from contracting CMV at such a young age. As CMV affects between 50-80% of people throughout the course of their lifetime (Source), that is a significant portion of the population that is no longer able to donate blood under this resolution. The lack of blood stocks for transfusion would likely result in more deaths.
A recap of my proposed replacements:
- Medical Donation Rights is a Human Rights resolution
- Biomedical Innovation Organization is an Education resolution, focused on research & development
- Biomedical Trade & Treatment is a Free Trade resolution
Submitted Version: (Sources are linked throughout, but additional sources can also be found in this post for your reference.)
Repeal "Organ and Blood Donations Act"
Category: Repeal | Resolution: #175 | Proposed by: Mousebumples
Argument:
THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:
REALIZES that repealing GAR#175, "Organ and Blood Donations Act,” will not outlaw organ and blood donations and transplants within WA member nations,
BELIEVES, additionally, that the shortcomings of the resolution require its repeal in order to allow WA member nations to most effectively perform life-saving organ and blood transplants.
HIGHLIGHTS the wording of Clause 7, which states: Forbids transplantation or transfusion of infected and/or diseased blood, organs, tissues, or components thereof from one person (a donor) to another person (a recipient).
RECOGNIZES that the wording of this clause does not allow for any flexibility with regards to such transplants, even if such a transplant would be consented to by the prospective recipient.
UNDERSTANDS that some infections, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Hepatitis B & C (HBV & HCV) may be spread from donor to recipient during a transplantation or transfusion process, which means that individuals with these diseases shall be considered “infected and/or diseased” under the terms of this resolution.
DETAILS the following:
- CMV is a disease that may affect a substantial portion of a given nation's population. [Source]
- CMV-positive blood and components can be safely transfused into otherwise healthy receipients, even though such transfusions are likely to spread the disease to CMV-negative recipients. [Source]
- CMV-positive organs and tissues can and have been transplanted safely to CMV-negative recipients in need when associated with appropriate anti-viral treatments. [Source]
- Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency (HIV) viruses are diseases that affect varying amounts of individuals within a given population.
- HBV, HCV, and HIV-positive donors can and have successfully donated organs to a recipient who tests positive for the same disease that they have. [Source: Who can be an organ donor?] & [Source: HIV+ transplants]
- Many individuals who are in need of organ transplants may be willing to take an organ that is HBV, HCV, or HIV-positive as receiving an organ would prolong their life even if they were to contract a new disease in the process. [Source]
- Clause 7 “forbids” the transplantation of organs from individuals who test positive for CMV, HBV, HCV, and HIV, which means that each of the above examples are currently prohibited under WA law.
REGRETS that the unfortunate wording of this clause does not allow for flexibility in the handling of donations and transplants, which prevents member states from instituting common-sense practices that do not harm public health and may provide a net benefit for individual patients.
LAMENTS that the scarcity of resources available for transfusion and transplantation is adversely impacted by this resolution and increases the possibility that those patients in need of an organ transplant will die prior to receiving an organ that can save their lives.
DECLARES that individual recipients, in coordination with informed recommendations from their health care provider(s), should be allowed to give their informed consent for such procedures that are outlawed by this resolution.
HOPES that the WA will consider future legislation on this subject to rectify the aforementioned flaws while still assuring the safety and availability of blood, blood components, organs, and tissues in order to save lives of individuals in all WA member nations.
REPEALS GAR#175, "Organ and Blood Donations Act."
Comments and critiques are, as always, welcome. Thanks for checking this out!